Calling the short-term recommendations to create seven new or modified bus routes to major employment, shopping, medical and entertainment centers "achievable, implementable and fundable," the state pledged to have them in place when the new TZB opens in 2018.

"It's a set of recommendations we can be proud of," said Thomas Madison, executive director of the New York State Thruway Authority.

Madison and his task force co-chair, Department of Transportation Commissioner Joan McDonald, said they would present the 119-page report to the Thruway's board and Gov. Andrew Cuomo before the day was out and then await their direction on the next steps. The report is posted at newnybridge.com.

The seven routes will connect with existing bus services in the two counties, but will be distinguished from them through a branding campaign that employs different vehicles, stations, fares and schedules.

The elements are common among bus rapid transit systems, although there is disagreement within the task force about whether this recommendation can be called BRT in the absence of dedicated travel lanes — other than on the bridge.

Instead of dedicated lanes, the buses will rely on such traffic-management technology as ramp metering, signal prioritization and queue jumping to give them a travel time advantage over cars. The time saved is projected to range from four to 27 minutes.

"It will transform the bus-riding experience from tolerated to preferred," predicted Veronica Vanterpool, executive director of the Tri-State Transportation Campaign.

Vanterpool and Rockland County's planning commissioner, Thomas Vanderbeek, who had both lobbied hard and long for a more robust BRT system, voiced satisfaction with the consensus reached among the 31-person task force.

"We want to see this work," said Vanderbeek.

The report defined the next steps as determining who is going to develop and operate the new bus network and how it is going to be financed. No cost estimates were offered.

The operator options include the two counties, a new bicounty entity, Westchester County (which has a bigger system and more experience) or the Metropolitan Transportation Authority.